“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” security guard and beloved television personality Guillermo Rodriguez has officially hung up his dancing shoes. Rodriguez and his professional dance partner, Witney Carson, were eliminated from Season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars” on October 13, bringing an end to a memorable and highly entertaining fan-favorite run.
The elimination took place during Week 5 of the competition, which featured a special “Super Bowl Night” theme. Throughout his time on the show, Rodriguez consistently found himself at the bottom of the judges’ leaderboard due to his developing dance technique. However, his infectious personality, humor, and dedicated fan base kept him safe week after week through audience votes.
Super Bowl Night Routine and Final Score
For their final performance, Rodriguez and Carson delivered an energetic salsa to Bad Bunny’s hit song “Tití Me Preguntó.” The routine featured fun choreography, including Carson executing splits, and playful costumes styled after Bad Bunny and Rihanna’s respective Super Bowl halftime shows.
The judges-Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Joe Buck-scored the routine at 22 out of 40. Combined with viewer votes, the score ultimately landed the pair at the bottom of the leaderboard, sealing their exit from the ballroom.
Despite the elimination, Rodriguez expressed deep gratitude for the experience. “I had a lot of fun, it was great,” Rodriguez told the audience. “Witney, thank you for teaching me how to dance!”
Carson, who is pregnant with her third child, praised her celebrity partner for his positive attitude and hard work throughout the season. “He is such a sweetheart. He is so beloved by everyone,” Carson noted during interviews.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Hilarious Reaction to the Elimination
Hours after being sent home, Rodriguez and Carson appeared virtually on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to discuss the exit with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Known for his witty banter, Kimmel playfully decried the results as a massive injustice.
“First of all, this is an outrage,” Kimmel joked during the broadcast. “Will you accept the results or will you take legal action?”
When asked if he accomplished what he set out to do when joining the cast, Rodriguez replied with a laugh, “Jimmy, I said I was going to lose weight, and I did lose weight!” Kimmel quickly quipped back, “You lost weight and you gained a pregnant friend. Again, thank you Witney for taking such good care of Guillermo throughout this.”
Week 5 Highlights and What Lies Ahead
While Rodriguez’s journey came to an end, Super Bowl Night delivered high scores and fierce competition for the remaining Season 35 contestants. Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn and partner Pasha Pashkov earned a stellar 34 out of 40 for their samba to “Mi Gente.” Meanwhile, Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach secured a 36 out of 40 with a sizzling salsa to Nelly’s “Hot in Herre.”
With Rodriguez’s departure, 10 celebrity contestants remain in the competition, including Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, Jenna Dewan, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson, Harry Shum Jr., Julia Stiles, and Connor Wood.
Next week, “Dancing with the Stars” will air its highly anticipated “Dedication Night” on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, featuring former pro dancer Kym Johnson as a guest judge.
